The Baltimore Ravens and Lamar Jackson have agreed on a new contract. In addition, the team is significantly strengthening a problem position. The responsibility for the team’s success now lies with the 26-year-old quarterback.

With just hours before the 2023 draft was set to begin, it finally happened. Multiple NFL insiders reported that Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens had agreed on a contract extension.

This ended a process that had lasted nearly a year with the interruption by the 2022 Regular Season and had kept fans, as well as media, on tenterhooks.

Baltimore reached an agreement with its franchise quarterback on a five-year contract worth a maximum of $260 million.

Jackson also showed immediate excitement on his social media channels, the hiccups over franchise tag and trade demands seemingly forgotten.

Jackson with disastrous playoff record so far

However, to paraphrase a famous movie quote, “With great contract comes great responsibility.”

The Ravens and their fans have every right to expect the 2019 MVP to lead the team more successfully than he has recently.

The Ravens actually missed the finals the past two years, in part because Jackson was out with injuries in both 2021 and 2022 during the crucial part of the season.

But even when he did make the final tournament, the quarterback has been unable to do much of anything. He now needs to improve his playoff record of one win and three losses as soon as possible. Early elimination must be an absolute no-no in the coming years.

Injuries must no longer be an excuse

While Jackson was often forgiven for his injury absences in the past in view of his unresolved contract situation, he will have to expect significantly more criticism in the future if he misses.

This is all the more true since Patrick Mahomes was able to win the Super Bowl last season despite a severely sprained ankle.

With the new labor contract, at the latest, the “puppy protection” for the highly talented Jackson has expired.

With $185 million guaranteed in the quarterback’s new contract, he’ll now have to grit his teeth and perform, at least with minor injuries, if he doesn’t want to prove critics right.

Baltimore upgrades receiving corps

In addition, the 26-year-old can no longer hide behind the excuse of not getting enough help from his franchise.

Via free agency, the Ravens bolstered the receiving corps with superstar Odell Beckham Jr. and veteran Nelson Agholor.

The team then stepped it up in the draft, selecting Zay Flowers from Boston College with the 22nd pick.

So including Rashod Bateman, four of Baltimore’s wide receivers are first-round picks.

Quality at all levels

In addition, Jackson can call on the dangerous Devin Duvernay and the outstanding tight end Mark Andrews, among others.

There’s no question Baltimore has stocked its quarterback with top-notch pass receivers both up front and across the board.

Add to that the running game, which has been overwhelming for years, with running backs J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards.

Manning the offensive line with three former first-round picks shows Baltimore isn’t stingy with its resources in protecting its quarterback, either.

Not just Ravens offense full of top-notch talent

Even though tackle Orlando Brown Jr. was traded away a few years ago, the department is still among the NFL’s better position groups with experienced forces like Ronnie Stanley and Kevin Zeitler.

But it’s not just Baltimore’s offense that’s title-ready; the defense and special teams are also red-hot.

Before last season, the club brought in inside linebacker Roquan Smith from Chicago. The investment of a second-round pick paid off, as the Ravens allowed the third-fewest points last season.

And as long as Justin Tucker is available to the team as a kicker, the club’s special teams have to be among the best in the league.

Jackson needs to deliver now

So, with a large portion of the salary cap going to Jackson’s salary going forward, the quarterback has a dual responsibility for the Ravens’ success. He’s got the pressure!

After all, big-name – and thus expensive – reinforcements are unlikely to fit under the salary cap with an average annual salary of $52 million.

The Ravens have given their quarterback the biggest contract in NFL history and provided all the building blocks for success.

Now it’s up to him to put them together and build a monument to himself.